Battery life is one of the most crucial factors for smartphones. There's nothing more frustrating than when the battery dies in the middle of everyday use. With the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple raises the bar higher than ever before, positioning itself at the top of the current flagship market. Particularly exciting: In a direct comparison test against the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the iPhone 17 Pro Max clearly prevailed.
The rivalry between Apple and Samsung has dominated the smartphone market for years. Both manufacturers regularly release models that battle for supremacy in terms of performance, display, and camera. But when it comes to battery life, the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers results that may surprise many. Several tests show that Apple has not only made its flagship model more efficient but also more durable than its Korean competitors.
iPhone 17 Pro Max beats Galaxy S25 Ultra
In the battery test conducted by Mrwhosetheboss, one of the most well-known tech YouTubers, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra achieved a runtime of 11 hours and 58 minutes. That sounds solid, but it was clearly surpassed by the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The Apple flagship took the lead with an impressive 13 hours. Interestingly, this test used the UK version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max with a physical SIM card tray. In the US and some other markets, Apple only sells eSIM models, which are equipped with a slightly larger battery. Experts estimate that this version would have exceeded the 13 hours by at least half an hour.
Other iPhones also impress
The iPhone 17 Pro Max wasn't the only one to achieve strong results. The entire iPhone 17 series showed solid runtimes in the comparison test. The iPhone Air was the first to give up, lasting 7 hours and 18 minutes. The regular iPhone 17 followed about three hours later. Shortly thereafter, the iPhone 17 Pro also ran out of power. In the end, only the two larger models remained in the race: the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It's also interesting to note that even last year's Apple flagship, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, finished just ahead of the Galaxy in the test. It achieved a runtime of 12 hours and 15 minutes, placing it between this year's two flagships. The generational leap from the 16 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max therefore provides around one to two hours of additional battery life in everyday use.
Everyday life vs. manufacturer's specifications
Apple itself claims a video playback time of 35 hours for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. However, these values are achieved under laboratory conditions, for example, when playing movies via the Apple TV app. In everyday life, where social media, messaging, photos, and music are used simultaneously, such ideal values are unattainable. Mrwhosetheboss's test reflected precisely these everyday scenarios. It included scrolling through TikTok and X, working with Slack, streaming music via Spotify, and recording videos. The fact that the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasted 13 hours makes the results particularly meaningful.
Geekerwan’s results confirm the trend
Another test was conducted by Chinese tech journalist Geekerwan . He also used models with a physical SIM tray and came to very similar results. According to his measurements, the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasted almost two hours longer than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This makes the difference between the generations even more pronounced. Even the base iPhone 17 managed to almost match the 16 Pro Max's battery life. These results underscore that Apple has significantly improved the entire series in terms of energy efficiency and endurance.
iPhone 17 Pro Max dominates in battery performance
The iPhone 17 Pro Max clearly takes the lead when it comes to battery life. With a real-world battery life of 13 hours, it noticeably outperforms the Galaxy S25 Ultra and its predecessor. Even the iPhone 16 Pro Max, released in 2024, managed to beat the current Samsung flagship in our tests. If you're looking for a smartphone that lasts a long time and delivers reliable power in everyday use, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is currently the most powerful model. Looking for accessories? Our Amazon Storefront is your destination for high-quality products, including HomeKit-compatible ones! (Image: Shutterstock / 19 STUDIO)
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